Abstract. Individuals of a species
are usually adapted to a specific environment in
terms of behavior, morphology or physiology. The
question is whether fine tuned adaptations in a
species may even exist within a habitat, but
slightly different habitat features. Here we
examine whether a marsh habitat consisting of
patches of two different vegetation types (reed
and reed mace) may result in male quality
differences occupying them. We have already
shown that in Eurasian reed warblers egg
investment of females, but not their quality or
condition differs between individuals breeding
in the two vegetation types. In this study we
want to know, whether these habitat dependent
investment strategies might be a consequence of
differential allocation due to variation in male
quality. To determine male quality we used i)
song in terms of song speed, song complexity and
redundancy of male Eurasian reed warblers
singing in reed and reed mace and ii) paternal
investment in terms of feeding contribution of
males breeding in reed or reed mace. Our results
revealed differences in feeding rates between
broods raised in reed and reed mace territories
but neither male song nor male feeding
contribution varies between reed and reed mace
territories. Thus different female egg
investment is due to habitat rather than male
quality. Habitat parameters influencing nest
protection and offspring survival remain to
explain differences in maternal egg investment.

Abstract. Breeding biology of the
White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) was
studied in the northern part of the Central Slovakia
in the two years differing by average daily air
temperature during the breeding seasons and mainly
during the egg laying periods. In 2014, the breeding
season was characterized by considerably higher
temperature than breeding season of 2013. Dippers
started to lay eggs earlier in 2014 and the first
egg was laid 28 days earlier (February, 19th) than
in previous season (March, 17th). Mean clutch size
was slightly higher in 2014 (5.3 eggs per nest) than
in 2013 (4.8 eggs per nest) but the significant
interseasonal differences were found only between
the clutch sizes of the second broods (4.1 and 5.3
eggs per nest in 2013 and 2014, respectively).
Moreover, the frequency of the second broods was
significantly higher in warmer season. We found no
differences in nest success between studied years
(79.29 % and 78.03 % in 2013 and 2014,
respectively).

Abstract. Breeding population of Eurasian
Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) was regularly monitored
in the region Vysočina in the Czech Republic during
1989–2013. Breeding success of the species in
relation to nesting environment and altitude was
assessed in 22 sites for four habitat types: active
stone quarry (n = 5), rocky cliffs in river canyons
(n = 5), large rock outcrops in forests (n = 5), and
small rock outcrops and rocky forest floor in forest
stands (n = 7). Habitat type had statistically
significant effect on number of nests with hatched
chicks, on number of successful nests, and on number
of fledglings (P ≤ 0.007, R2 =
0.39–0.52). There was significant correlation
between altitude and above mentioned characteristics
(P ≤ 0.031, R2 = 0.17–0.23). The highest
nest success was in active stone quarries, 70% (n =
77), and highest mean number of fledglings per nest,
1.24. Breeding success at rocks in river canyons was
57% (n = 84) with mean of 1.03 fledglings per nest.
Breeding success at large rock outcrops in forests,
and small rock outcrops and rocky forest floor in
forest stands was 50% (n = 86) and 32% (n = 69),
respectively, with mean number of 0.97 and 0.55
fledglings per nest, respectively.

Abstract. Species structure, species
richness, diversity, population densities and
total density of breeding bird assemblages of
extensive pastures and successional pastures
were compared in the Muránska planina National
Park during the breeding season in 2014. Birds
were censused using the point count method with
fixed radius of 50 or 100 m depending on
environmental conditions. In total, 19 point
counts were conducted in extensive pastures
three times during June and July, while 10 point
counts were carried out in successional
pastures. Species richness and diversity was not
significantly different when tested by Monte
Carlo rarefaction approach; however, in larger
standardized samples extensive pasture had
significantly higher species richness and
diversity then successional pastures. The total
assemblage density of extensive pastures (23.71
ind./10 ha considering territorial records,
41.93 ind./10 ha considering all records) was
significantly lower than the total density of
successional pastures (50.29 ind./10 ha
considering territorial records, 74.80 ind./10 ha considering all
records) when compared by two-sample t-test. Important
grassland
species such as corn crake Crex crex
and Eurasian skylark Alauda
arvensis were detected only in extensive
pastures. Yellowhammer Emberiza
citrinella showed higher population
densities in successional pastures compared to
extensive pastures (5.09 ind./10 ha versus 3.51
ind./10 ha). Canonical correspondence analysis
indicated contrasting species structure between
extensive and successional pastures in response
to the gradient of tree and shrub cover
underling differences between these two types of
bird assemblages.

Abstract.The
wetlands are important refuges of
biodiversity. Study site Kórea, i.e. a wetland
and surrounding habitats (7.3 ha), originated
at agricultural land by construction of
railway shunting yard 60 years ago. The
structure of bird assemblages was evaluated
there with regard to different seasons,
periods and habitats. Altogether 104 bird
species, of them 57 breeding, 26 hospites
and 21 permigrants were registered during
61 visits in 2012–2014. Of them we found 32
water species, 15 of them bred there. The most
dominant water species were there Anas
platyrhynchos (34.8%), Fulica
atra (21.4%), Tachybaptus
ruficollis(8.9%),
Gallinula chloropus (6.8%).
These species were the most frequent, too
(each > 53%). The most occupied habitat
(from main six) was habitat forest and hedges
(52% of bird species; 41% of site area)
and litoral vegetation (21% species; 23%
of area). The confirmed breeding of the teal Anas
creccawas
one of the most important faunistic records.
Comparison of breeding assemblages between
years 1995 and 2014 has shown similar bird
species number (56, resp. 53), but increased
abundance (from 146 on 177 pairs/ 7.3 ha). The
species Perdix perdix, Coturnix
coturnixand
Troglodytes troglodytes were not
breeding there in 2014, and no new species
bred there. Increased abundance of breeding
bird species can be explained by increased
plot of litoral vegetation (Typha,
Salix, Phragmites)
by 13%, forest and hedges by 12%
and their height as well as by increased
plot of open water and transforming the
grasslands on tall-sedge growths.

Abstract. The Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus
agricola) was recorded for the first time in
Slovakia. One specimen of the species was
mist-netted at the Béter marsh near the town of
Lučenec, S Slovakia, on August 18, 2014. This
observation was accepted by the Rarities Committee
of the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife
Slovakia. Occurrences of the Paddyfield Warbler in
other European countries are discussed.Key words: Paddyfield Warbler, Acrocephalus
agricola, first record, Slovakia

Abstract. Natal and breeding philopatry are
important components of life-history strategies in
birds which may markedly influence their fitness
and demographic evolution. In spite of this fact,
information on return rate and territory fidelity
are poorly known in many bird species. Here we
present data on the philopatry of the great reed
warbler (Acrocephalus
arundinaceus) in south-west Slovakia. In
total, 220 recoveries of 317 adult birds (174
females and 143 males) and 744 nestlings ringed at
ponds near the town of Štúrovo were used for the
analyses. We found that great reed warblers
displayed relatively low philopatry with males and
females showing the same proportions (28% and 24%,
respectively). In contrast, breeding territory
fidelity was higher for females than for males
(32% and 13%, respectively). Results are compared
with the findings from other studies.

Abstract.Three
nests of Eurasian Wren
(Troglodytestroglodytes)
were found located in nests of
White-throated Dipper (Cincluscinclus).
The nests of Dipper were
situated in nest boxes under
bridges over three rivers in the
northern part of Central Slovakia.
All wren nests were without
clutches during whole periods of
observation. Each of them was
probably one of the several
nests build by male and not
accepted by female for breeding
in the first or second brood of
particular year.

Abstract. Capercaillie (Tetrao
urogallus) is an indicator of
well-structured boreal and montane forest
habitats, characterised by an intermediate
canopy cover and abundant ground vegetation.
It is seriously
suffering from fragmentation of forests and
habitat loss. We studied occurrence of this
species on seven localities in the
Stolica Mts. (E Slovakia) in 2011–2013
(October–November 2011 and 2012, April–May
2012, and March–April 2013).We recorded
presence of capercaillie in six of seven sites. Predation
is probably the most important factor of
threats there at present.

Abstract. Aimed to identify priority
questions of ornithological research in Slovakia,
103 persons directly or indirectly involved in
ornithological research and/or bird protection in
the country were addressed by a simple
questionary. The present paper brings synthesis of
c. 130 answers gathered from 30 participants. The
priority questions proposed for future research in
Slovakia were grouped/divided into the following
areas: bird census and monitoring; habitat and
diet requirements; impacts of human activities on
birds and economic damage caused by birds; factors
affecting bird populations changes; data,
publishing, education and working groups
activities; and bird conservation and management.
The most of proposed research questions were
focused mainly on issues associated with
protection of birds and their habitats, namely
study of bird population trends and factors
associated with the trends, species habitat
requirements, and impact of human activities on
birds. We anticipate that addressing these
questions may help to improve conversation between
professional and amateur ornithologists as there
will be a need to collect a large amount of data.

Abstract. In 2013, 57 ringers ringed
altogether 56,546 birds, of them 3,593 were
nestlings. That number was 16.6% higher and 11.3%
lower than the mean of the previous five years for
total number of birds and nestlings, respectively.
The ringed birds belonged to 172 species. The most
numerous ringed species were Great Tit (Parus major,
8,567 individuals), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica,
7,654 ind.), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla, 4.036
ind.), Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus, 3,938
ind.), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus, 2,918 ind.).
The colour ringed schemes in Slovakia are given.
Alltogether 304 abroad recoveries were registered,
out of them were 75 individuals ringed abroad and
re-trapped in Slovakia, 229 idividuals ringed in
Slovakia and re-trapped abroad. That numbers were 42
%, 21.7 % and 28 % lower than the mean of the
previous five years.

Abstract:
In 2013, the Rarities Committee of
the Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife
Slovakia reviewed 83 records, of which 64 were
accepted in the category A, 6 in category C, 6
records in category D and 3 breeding records.
Two records were rejected. Two records of
Pink-footed Goose (Anser
brachyrhynchus), one record of Brant Goose
(Branta
bernicla), one record of Terek Sandpiper (Xenus
cinereus) and one record of Red Phalarope
(Phalaropus
fulicarius) were the highlights of the
year 2013. Rarities Committee accepted also some
other noteworthy records from the years 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. E.g. in
2013, one sighting of Tundra Swan (Cygnus
columbianus), three records of Lesser
White-fronted Goose (Anser
erythropus), one record of Bar-headed
Goose (Anser
indicus), one record of Canada Goose (Branta
canadensis), seven records of Barnacle
Goose (Branta
leucopsis), three records of Red-breasted
Goose (Branta
ruficollis), one record of Egyptian Goose
(Alopochen
aegyptiaca), two records of seven
individuals Mandarin Duck (Aix
galericulata), first record of Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura
jamaicensis), four records of three
individuals Horned Grebe (Podiceps
auritus), one record of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis
falcinellus), seven records of Pallid
Harrier (Circus
macrourus), one record of Kentish Plover (Charadrius
alexandrinus), two records of Red Knot (Calidris
canutus), one record of Long-tailed Jaeger
(Stercorarius
longicaudus), nineteen individuals of
European Herring Gull (Larus
argentatus), two records of Greater
Black-backed Gull (Larus
marinus), two records of Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla
citreola), one record of Rosy Starling (Pastor
roseus), one record of three individuals
Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), first
breeding record of Mandarin Duck (Aix
galericulata), one breeding record of
Red-crested Pochard (Netta
rufina) and one breeding record of
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus
himantopus). Furthermore, there were three
records of Eurasian Dotterel (Charadrius
morinellus) in 2011, 2012 and 2013, seven
records of Griffon Vulture (Gyps
fulvus) in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011
and 2012, one sighting of Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius
monachus) in 2011,one
record of Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa
tridactyla) in 2008, three records of
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon
nilotica) in 2009, 2012 and 2013.

Key words:birds, rarities committee, rarities
report, Slovakia

Korňan M.: Ornitological
event of the year - 26th
International Ornithological Congress in Tokyo